Definition

Noun A type of prehistoric megalithic tomb characterized by having two large upright stones supporting a single, large horizontal capstone. This structure forms a chamber and is often covered by an earthen mound. Portal tombs date from the Neolithic period.

Usage

The term "portal tomb" is used specifically in archaeology and historical contexts to describe a distinct class of ancient burial monument. It is a formal, technical term.

Examples

• Archaeologists discovered a well-preserved portal tomb in the Irish countryside.
• The portal tomb, with its massive capstone, is a striking feature of the prehistoric landscape.
• Many portal tombs are found in coastal regions of Western Europe.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used interchangeably with "dolmen," though "portal tomb" more specifically describes the structural form with two portal stones framing an entrance.
• In academic writing, it is common to specify the cultural period: "Neolithic portal tomb."

Variants and Related Words

• Dolmen (noun): A general term for a megalithic tomb with a large flat stone laid on upright ones, often synonymous with portal tomb.
• Cromlech (noun): A term, particularly used in Wales and Brittany, for a prehistoric stone circle or, sometimes, a dolmen.
• Megalithic tomb (noun phrase): The broader category of tombs built from large stones, to which portal tombs belong.

Synonyms

• Dolmen
• Cromlech (in some regional uses)

Different Meanings

The word "portal" alone has different meanings (e.g., a doorway, a website gateway), but in the compound term "portal tomb," it specifically refers to the two upright stones that form the entrance or "portal" to the burial chamber.

Noun

1. a prehistoric megalithic tomb typically having two large upright stones and a capstone